Attrition (research)
Attrition (research)
Attrition (pronounced: /əˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/) in the context of research, refers to the loss of participants during the course of a longitudinal study. This phenomenon can potentially introduce bias into the study, affecting the validity and reliability of the results.
Etymology
The term 'attrition' originates from the Latin word 'attritio', which means 'a rubbing away' or 'gradual reduction'. In the context of research, it metaphorically refers to the 'rubbing away' or 'loss' of study participants over time.
Types of Attrition
There are two main types of attrition in research: random attrition and non-random attrition.
Random attrition occurs when the participants who drop out of the study do so randomly, without any specific pattern. This type of attrition is less problematic as it does not introduce bias into the study.
Non-random attrition, on the other hand, occurs when the participants who drop out of the study do so in a non-random manner. This could be due to a variety of reasons such as the participant's health, socioeconomic status, or other personal factors. This type of attrition can introduce bias into the study and affect the validity of the results.
Effects of Attrition
Attrition can have several effects on a research study. It can lead to a reduction in the sample size, which can decrease the statistical power of the study. It can also introduce bias if the participants who drop out of the study are systematically different from those who remain.
Strategies to Minimize Attrition
Several strategies can be employed to minimize attrition in research studies. These include maintaining regular contact with participants, offering incentives for participation, and using multiple methods of data collection.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Attrition (research)
- Wikipedia's article - Attrition (research)
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